On Friday, Forest Hills Central walked into Portage Central with one thought. Win.
Junior QB Nick Williams sealed the deal in Portage on Friday when he threw a 50-yard dot down the sideline to Senior wideout Brenden Cargill. Cargill found himself within the 5-yard line late in the second quarter. On the ensuing play, Williams found tight end Matt Sexton in the endzone for the score. This ended up being the game-winner as the Rangers escaped with a 7-0 win.
“Coach preaches it all the time,” said Cargill. “In the big moments, we’ve got to stick together and stay mentally tough. Games aren’t easy, and sometimes we have to win like this.”
This became the theme for the Rangers on Friday night. Mental toughness has to be a quality that the boys need.
Throughout the first quarter, there were multiple four-and-outs for both teams, as the ball seemed unable to surpass midfield. Special teams were also a key for the Rangers, as they were able to pin the Mustangs deep and flip the field multiple times. Furthermore, Portage Central threw the ball maybe 3 times total, twice when they had to with 15 seconds left. The ground-and-pound game for the Mustangs seemed effective too.
Early in the second quarter, Portage sustained quite a long drive as they were inside the 15-yard line. However, the Rangers were able to force the fourth down. It was decision time for PC. The Mustangs decided to go for it. The down was incredibly crucial because, one, the limited time left in the half, and two, this was the only time Portage had it so deep in Ranger territory.
The 4th and two was the turning point for the Rangers. Portage tried to run the ball right up the gut. It was stopped. Seniors Orion Roskam and Micah Meadow were able to stuff Portage and take the 7-0 lead into the half.
The Second quarter went much the same for both teams, as the ball seemed to be pinballing back and forth between each team. Portage couldn’t retain the same momentum they had in the first half, and the FHC defense was stifling.
With about 3 minutes left, it was crunch time for the Mustangs. It was their last chance to tie it up. As the Rangers booted it away with Nick Williams, the PC kick returner seemingly lost the ball in the lights. However, he caught the ball but didn’t secure it. The ball slipped out of the returner’s hands, and Junior defenseman Joey Vanderveen recovered it.
The Rangers, on the ensuing drive, were able to drain a crucial clock and eventually punt the ball back to PC with under a minute remaining. It was desperation time for the Mustangs as they threw for only the second time during the game. Both passes were broken up near midfield, and time finally ran out.
This was huge for FHC, as they proved what it means to be physically and mentally tough. As they head into the Rivalry week, the Rangers need to be stout once again on the defense while being better on the offensive side of the ball.
The Rangers will head to Forest Hills Northern on Friday to face the Huskies. Game time is 7 pm.
